U.S. patent application number 12/156621 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-03 for distributed intelligence in lighting control.
This patent application is currently assigned to Adura Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Alex Do, Charles Huizenga.
Application Number | 20090299527 12/156621 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41380765 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090299527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huizenga; Charles ; et
al. |
December 3, 2009 |
Distributed intelligence in lighting control
Abstract
Exemplary systems, methods, and apparatuses for distributed
intelligence in facility lighting control are provided. A facility
lighting system may be organized into multiple control areas, each
of which may include one or more component devices. Each lighting
control area may be associated with a control apparatus, which
controls the operation of the lighting devices of the associated
control area based on various types of signal information. Signal
information may include information concerning local conditions or
environments, as well as information from a centralized control
server. Some embodiments further include monitoring the operation
and predicting fault states of the lighting control area.
Inventors: |
Huizenga; Charles;
(Berkeley, CA) ; Do; Alex; (Berkeley, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARR & FERRELL LLP
2200 GENG ROAD
PALO ALTO
CA
94303
US
|
Assignee: |
Adura Technologies, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
41380765 |
Appl. No.: |
12/156621 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/275 ; 700/90;
706/47 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 47/22 20200101;
H05B 47/175 20200101; G05B 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/275 ; 700/90;
706/47 |
International
Class: |
G05B 15/02 20060101
G05B015/02; G06F 17/00 20060101 G06F017/00; G06N 5/02 20060101
G06N005/02 |
Claims
1. A method for distributed intelligence in facility lighting
control, the method comprising: receiving signal information
concerning a lighting control area in a facilities system
comprising a plurality of control areas, the control area
comprising one or more lighting devices; determining instructions
for operation of the one or more lighting devices within the
control area based on the received signal information; and
controlling operation of the one or more lighting devices within
the control area based on at least the determined instructions.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal information comprises
information concerning an environmental condition.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal information comprises
information concerning an operation schedule.
4. The method of claim 1, where the signal information comprises
information concerning the presence of occupants in the lighting
control area.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal information comprises
information designated by a user.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal information comprises
information from a control server.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the instructions
comprises determining the instructions based on rule-based
actuation logic.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring operation
of the lighting control area.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein monitoring operation of the
control area further comprises detecting a fault state in the
lighting control area.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein monitoring operation of the
lighting control area further comprises storing operation
information associated with the lighting control area.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein monitoring operation of the
lighting control area further comprises predicting failure of the
lighting control area based on at least operation information.
12. An apparatus for distributed intelligence in facility lighting
control, the apparatus comprising: a communication interface
configured to receive signal information concerning a lighting
control area in a facilities system comprising a plurality of
control areas; a processor configured to determine instructions for
operation of the lighting control area based on rule-based
actuation logic and the received signal information; and a
controller configured to control operation of the lighting control
area based on at least the determined instructions.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a timekeeper
configured to provide signal information concerning date and
time.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a light sensor
configured to provide signal information concerning a level of
light.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a motion sensor
configured to provide signal information concerning presence of an
occupant.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the communication interface
is further configured to receive signal information from a control
server.
17. A system for distributed intelligence in facility lighting
control, the system comprising: a plurality of lighting control
areas, each lighting control area comprising a communication
interface for receiving signal information concerning the lighting
control area, a processor configured to determine instructions for
operation of the control area based on at least rule-based
actuation logic and the received signal information, and a
controller for controlling operation of the lighting control area
based on instructions determined by reference to rule-based
actuation logic and the received signal information; and a control
server configured to provide signal information concerning an
operation configuration to each lighting control area in the
plurality of lighting control areas.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the control server is further
configured to receive user input concerning the operation
configuration.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the control server is further
configured to receive operation information from each control area
from the plurality of control areas.
20. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereupon
executable computing instructions for performing a method
comprising: receiving signal information concerning a lighting
control area in a facilities system comprising a plurality of
control areas, the control area comprising one or more lighting
devices; determining instructions for operation of the one or more
lighting devices within the control area based on the received
signal information; and controlling operation of the one or more
lighting devices within the control area based on at least the
determined instructions.
21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the
executable instructions further provide for monitoring operation of
the lighting control area.
22. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein
monitoring operation of the control area further comprises
predicting failure of the lighting control area based on at least
operation information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to facilities management. More
specifically, the present invention relates to distributed
intelligence in lighting control.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Various resources are provided to an area by facilities
systems. Facilities systems may encompass lighting systems, HVAC
systems, security systems, fire/safety systems, irrigation systems,
agricultural wind systems, blind/louver systems, and the like. The
area receiving the resources from facilities systems may include a
building, a floor, a room, a group of buildings, etc. Depending on
the area, the resources provided, and specific occupant
requirements, such facilities systems may include multiple devices
of various types. For example, a lighting system for a large
building may include several types of lights in various
configurations distributed throughout multiple rooms, on multiple
floors, etc.
[0005] One possible way to manage a facilities system is to provide
centralized control of all the devices in such a system.
Centralization may allow an individual, such as a facilities
manager, to control all the devices of the facilities system from
one or a few control interfaces. For example, the facilities
manager can turn on all of the lights and/or turn off all of the
lights remotely and without having to physically flick each switch
on and off in each room. Some disadvantages to a highly centralized
control system may include implementation difficulties and
inefficiencies. For example, it may be difficult and/or costly to
retrofit a large area with a centralized control system.
[0006] Centralized control of a facilities system having multiple
devices may also be complicated by various factors. For instance,
some devices in the system may be subject to different demands than
other devices in the system. Using the above example, the lighting
system may need to provide more light in certain rooms that do not
receive as much natural sunlight as other rooms. As such, high
centralization may be inflexible to local conditions and unable to
adapt to changing conditions. Further, high centralization may lead
to waste. For example, using a highly centralized system to provide
adequate resources to the rooms that require it may result in
resources being sent to rooms that do not require the same amount
of resources. Energy is wasted where resources are provided to
areas that do not require such resources.
[0007] In contrast, a highly localized facilities control solution
presents different disadvantages, such as in the ability to
maintain and operate the facilities system. An example of a highly
localized control solution is an individual light switch for a
light or a group of lights in a particular location. Separate light
switches may be distributed throughout a building, floor, etc., and
each switch must be separately switched on for its associated
device, or group of devices, to be activated. For some areas, this
process may be extremely time-consuming. Additionally, separate
switches may lead to energy waste when area occupants forget or
neglect to switch off each individual switch.
[0008] There is, therefore, a need in the art for improved
management and control of facilities systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Exemplary systems, methods, and apparatuses of the present
invention provide for distributed intelligence in lighting control.
A lighting facilities system may be organized into control areas,
each of which may include one or more lighting devices. Each
lighting control area is associated with a control apparatus, which
controls the operation of the lighting devices within the lighting
control area based on various types of signal information. Signal
information may include information concerning local conditions or
environments, as well as information from a centralized control
server. In some embodiments, the control apparatus may reference
actuation logic in determining operation instructions.
[0010] Various embodiments of the present invention include methods
for distributed intelligence in lighting control. A method may
include receiving signal information concerning a lighting control
area in a lighting facilities system with multiple lighting control
areas, determining instructions for operation of the lighting
control area, and controlling operation of the lighting control
area based on the determined instructions. The signal information
may include such factors as switching input, centralized control
input, schedules, environmental conditions, and the like. Further,
in some embodiments, such signal information may be considered and
the instructions may be determined by reference to rule-based
actuation logic. The method may also include monitoring operation
of the control area, detecting any fault states, and predicting
when the control area may fail.
[0011] In some embodiments, the present invention may include an
apparatus for distributed intelligence in lighting control.
Associated with a lighting control area, an exemplary apparatus may
include a communication interface for receiving various types of
signal information, a processor for determining operation
instructions, and a controller for controlling operation of the
lighting control area based on the operation instructions. Various
embodiments may further include timers, schedules, and various
sensors, including light sensors, motion sensors, and the like.
[0012] Various embodiments of the present invention include systems
for distributed intelligence in lighting control. An exemplary
system may include multiple lighting control areas. Each lighting
control area may be configured to receive signal information,
determine operation instructions based on the signal information,
and control operations by reference to the determined instructions.
The exemplary system may further include a control server
configured to provide certain signal information to the multiple
control areas.
[0013] Some embodiments of the present invention include computer
media and instructions for distributed intelligence in facilities
control. Embodiments may further include instructions for
monitoring operations and predicting failure of control areas in
the facilities system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary implementation of an
environment providing distributed intelligence in facilities
control.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary actuation control apparatus
for providing distributed intelligence in facilities control.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for
providing distributed intelligence in facilities control.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems,
methods, and apparatuses for distributed intelligence in control of
lighting systems. A facilities lighting system may be organized
into multiple control areas. A control area can include a component
device or series of component devices in the facilities system. In
a lighting system, for example, a control area can include a single
light fixture or a group of light fixtures. Each control area is
associated with an actuation control apparatus, which determines
instructions for the operation of each control area based on
various types of signal information and controls operation of the
control area based on the determined instructions.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary implementation of an
environment 100 providing distributed intelligence in facilities
control. Implemented on a communications network 110, environment
100 may include multiple actuation control apparatuses 130A-130C,
and a control server 140. Each of the control apparatuses 130A-C
may be associated with a control area (e.g., 120A-120C,
respectively). In some embodiments of the present invention, the
network 110 may also allow for the control server 140 to send and
receive information from various user devices.
[0019] The network 110 may be a local, proprietary network (e.g.,
intranet) and/or may be a part of a larger wide-area network. For
example, the network 110 may be a local area network (LAN), which
may also be communicatively coupled to a wide area network (WAN)
such as the Internet. In some embodiments, the network 110 may be
configured to transmit various electromagnetic waves, including,
for example, radio signals. Examples of the network 110 may include
IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi or Wireless LAN) networks, IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX)
networks, IEEE 802.16c networks, and the like. Network 110 allows
for communication between the various components of system 100.
[0020] The control areas 120A-C may comprise a component device or
a series of component devices in a facilities system. For example,
as illustrated by FIG. 1, the control area 120A includes three
lighting devices; the control area 120B includes one lighting
device; and the control area 120C includes two lighting devices. A
control area may also be defined as some or all devices in a room,
on a floor, in a building, and so forth, based on a desired level
of granularity. In various embodiments of the present invention,
the component devices in a control area 120 may be in close
proximity to each other, share similar environmental conditions,
etc. Organizing a facilities system into the control areas allows
for local, distributed management of local devices. The
organization further allows for robustness within the environment
100, because the effects of a hardware, software, or communication
failure may be contained locally to one of the control areas
120.
[0021] Each control area 120A-C may be associated with their
respective actuation control apparatus 130A-C. The actuation
control apparatus (e.g., 130A) may be embedded in a device (e.g., a
light fixture) of the control area (e.g., control area 120A),
housed within a ballast (e.g., a ballast associated with the light
fixtures of the control area 120A), in a separate device, or the
like. Described in further detail with respect to FIG. 3, the
actuation control apparatus 130 controls the operation of the
device or devices in the control area 120 based on various types of
signal information, including signal information sent over the
network 110 from the control server 140. Associating each control
area 120 with a separate actuation control apparatus 130 allows for
granular and autonomous control, while still allowing for
centralized control, for example, from the control server 140. In
some embodiments of the present invention, the control area 120 may
gather, store, generate, and/or transmit information concerning the
operation of the devices in the control area 120. Such information
may include power usage, energy consumption, equipment status,
fault detection, predictions concerning fault states, and the
like.
[0022] The control server 140 may comprise any combination of
computer hardware and software configured to receive and transmit
information to actuation control apparatuses (e.g., actuation
control apparatuses 130A-C) concerning operation of their control
areas (e.g., control areas 120A-C) in a facilities system. The
control server 140 may be, for example, an enterprise server, such
as that found in any number of corporate entities and
businesses.
[0023] In some embodiments, control server 140 may be used to
designate default settings and/or customize various settings for
each of the actuation control apparatuses 130. For example, control
server 140 may receive schedule information from a building manager
and transmit the information to one or more of the actuation
control apparatuses 130 in the facilities system. Each actuation
control apparatus 130 may be sent the same information, different
information, or a combination of same and different information.
For example, each actuation control apparatus 130 may receive
slightly different schedules of operation. Other types of
information sent to the actuation control apparatuses may include
operation instructions, signal information, updated information,
etc. In some embodiments, the control server 140 may also receive
information from the various control areas 120 concerning the
operation of each respective control area 120. Such information may
be reported to a building manager, for example. The information may
further be used as input data in other devices.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates the exemplary actuation control apparatus
130 for providing distributed intelligence in facilities control.
The actuation control apparatus 130 may include an input/output
module 210, actuation logic 220, processor 230, controller 240,
timekeeper 250, and sensors 260. Alternative embodiments may
comprise more, less, or functionally equivalent components and
still be within the scope of the exemplary embodiments.
[0025] A module may be any collection of routines that perform
various system-level functions and may be dynamically loaded and
unloaded by hardware and device drivers as required. The modular
software components described herein may also be incorporated as
part of a larger software platform or integrated as part of an
application specific component.
[0026] The input/output module 210 may comprise any of a variety of
hardware and/or software components configured to provide a
communications interface capable of receiving various types of
information from various sources. For example, the input/output
module 210 may include various interfaces, devices, and/or antenna
for receiving information wirelessly through network 110, and so
forth. The information received may include switching information,
schedule information, sensor information, information from the
control server 140 (FIG. 1), and the like. Users may communicate
signal information to the input/output module 210 through switches,
as well as through computer-based or web-based interfaces in
communication with control server 140.
[0027] The input/output module 210 may be further configured to
transmit information, such as operation information, status
information, prediction information, etc. For example, a report
concerning the operation of the devices within the control area 120
associated with the actuation control apparatus 130 may be sent to
a building manager or building maintenance staff. Reports may also
be sent to a database (e.g., database 270) for storage, to various
analysis engines for analysis, and so forth.
[0028] The exemplary actuation logic 220 may be configured to store
and provide guidelines for responding to various types of signal
information. For example, the actuation logic 220 may comprise a
guideline concerning tasks to be performed at a particular time of
day. Specifically, a guideline may direct that at 7:00 am, the
lighting devices associated with control area 120 are switched on
and the light from the lighting devices increased to 100% lighting
capacity, if not already on and at 100%. Another guideline may
direct that at 10:00 am, the light of the lighting devices should
be dimmed to 70% of full lighting capacity.
[0029] In another example, actuation logic 220 may include a
guideline concerning one or more tasks to be performed in response
to a certain level of light. Using the above example, if the level
of light at 10:00 am falls below a predefined level, the guideline
may direct that the lighting devices may not be dimmed to 70%
lighting capacity. Yet another guideline may direct that a certain
level of light may trigger one task during a weekday and a
different task during the weekend. Actuation logic 220 may be
rule-based, algorithmic, a combination of the foregoing, etc.
Depending on the type of facilities system, area requirements,
occupant requirements, etc., the actuation logic 220 may provide
default guidelines for responses to the particular signal
information received. In some embodiments, actuation logic 220 may
be customized and/or updated by information received by
input/output module 210 through control server 140 (FIG. 1) from a
user, such as a building manager, system administrator, etc., to
reflect new area requirements, new user requirements, and so
forth.
[0030] In exemplary embodiments, the processor 230 uses the signal
information received by the input/output 210 and the guidelines
provided by the actuation logic 220 to determine operation
instructions for the devices of the control area 120. For example,
the input/output module 210 may receive signal information
concerning a level of light detected in an area by one or more of
the sensors 260 (described below). The processor 230 may then
consult the guidelines provided by the actuation logic 220 to
determine how to respond to such signal information. For example,
the processor 230 may determine, based on the guidelines provided
by the actuation logic 220, that the particular level of light is
associated with a particular task, such as turning off one or more
lighting fixtures of the control area 130A.
[0031] Having determined the task or tasks to be performed, then
processor 230 can then relay operation instructions associated with
the task or tasks to the controller 240. The controller 240 is
configured to control the operation of the devices of control area
120. Depending on the type of facilities system, the controller 240
can turn the devices of the control area 120 on and off, adjust
operation (e.g., dimming lights), and the like.
[0032] In some embodiments of the present invention, the timekeeper
250 may be included in the actuation control apparatus 130, or the
timekeeper 250 may be included in a separate device associated with
the actuation control apparatus 130. In exemplary embodiments, the
timekeeper 250 keeps track of and provides signal information
concerning dates, times, schedules, etc. to the other components of
the actuation control apparatus 130A. Thus, the timekeeper 250 may
trigger an operation based on a schedule. The timekeeper 250 may
further be used to keep track of holidays and any special schedules
of operations associated with certain holidays. For example, a
particular holiday may trigger decreased lighting in unoccupied
offices. Alternatively, a holiday may trigger a holiday-specific
lighting display, including colored lights and/or lighting control
areas configured in various shapes. In some embodiments, the
timekeeper 250 may provide information concerning the time elapsed
between certain events. For example, the timekeeper 250 can provide
information to the operations database 270 (described below)
concerning the life of a lighting fixture (i.e., when a light bulb
is installed and when the light bulb fails).
[0033] The sensors 260 may include any of a variety of sensors with
the ability to detect a variety of conditional and/or environmental
information, including occupancy, motion, sound, vibration, light,
loss of radio communication, power usage, etc. The types of sensors
260 included in the actuation control apparatus 130 may vary
depending on requirements of the area, requirements of the
facilities system, etc. For example, a particular security system
may incorporate motion sensors, but not light sensors.
[0034] In some embodiments, the sensors 260 may be embedded in the
actuation control apparatus 130A, housed in a separate device, or
the like. Upon sensing the conditional or environmental
information, the sensors 260 can provide signal information to the
input/output module 210. The sensors 260 may further allow for the
operation of the control area 120 to be responsive to its local
environment. For example, the sensors 260 may detect changing
levels of natural sunlight in a room throughout a day. That
information may be provided to the processor 230, which can then
generate instructions for adjusting the level of lamp light in that
room proportionately with the loss of sunlight so that the room may
be provided with a consistent level of light. In some embodiments
of the present invent, information concerning the operational state
of the sensors (e.g., failure in communication) may also be used,
in conjunction with actuation logic 220, to determine the
operational state of a control area, the system, and/or to generate
instructions.
[0035] The actuation control apparatus 130A optionally may comprise
an operations database 270 for storing information concerning the
operations of the devices of the control area 120. Such operation
information may include measurements of current, voltage, power and
energy consumption, equipment status, operating hours, etc. Some of
the operation information (e.g., operating hours) may be received
from the timekeeper 250 and/or the sensors 260. In some
embodiments, the information may be processed to determine a
minimum, maximum, averages, etc., which may also be stored in the
operations database 270. Such information may be communicated to
the network 110 for reporting. The information may also be used as
input data for various algorithms, such as an algorithm for
determining a fault state in a lighting fixture or ballast based on
the characteristics of an electric load. A fault state in a
lighting device, for example, may include a failed light bulb, etc.
that may result in the device being inoperable. In various
embodiments, such information concerning the electric load may be
provided to the control server 140 for determination of fault
states. Alternatively, the information may be provided to the
processor 230 for determining a fault state. The processor 230 may
further provide the information concerning the fault state to the
operations database 270 for storage. Further, the operations
database 270 may provide information concerning the number of
actuations and operating hours for a lighting fixture of the
control area 120, for example. When the number of actuations or
operating hours accumulates to a certain level, the life of the
lighting fixture or other device may be close to expiry.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method 300 for
providing distributed intelligence in facilities control. In this
method, signal information is received at a control area 120,
operation instructions for the control area 120 are determined, and
the control area 120 is operated according to the instructions. In
some embodiments of the present invention, the operation of the
control area 120 may be monitored, and a fault state in the control
area may be detected. Further, predictions concerning future fault
states may be made based on operation information.
[0037] In step 310, signal information is received by the
input/output module 210. The signal information may come from
various sources, including user input through switches, user input
through computer-based or web-based interfaces in communication
with the control server 140, the timekeeper 250, the sensors 260, a
combination oft the foregoing, and so forth. For example, the
timekeeper 250 may provide signal information concerning a time of
day. Alternatively, the sensors 260 may sense motion in a
particular area and communicate signal information concerning the
sensed motion to the input/output module 210.
[0038] In step 320, operation instructions are determined.
Consulting the actuation logic 220, the processor 230 may determine
what task or tasks are associated with the signal information
received by the input/output module 210. For example, signal
information concerning motion as detected by one of the motion
sensor 260 is received. The processor 230 may access the actuation
logic 220 for guidelines in responding to the signal information.
The appropriate guidelines, as provided by the actuation logic 220,
may indicate that motion at a certain time in a certain area is
associated with a particular task or set of tasks, such as sounding
a security alarm or set of security alarms. Subsequently, the
processor 230 determines the operation instructions for the
indicated tasks and relays the instructions to the controller
240.
[0039] In step 330, operations of the control area 120 are
controlled according to the instructions. In an exemplary
embodiment, the controller 240 receives the operation instructions
and controls the operation of the devices of the control area 120.
For example, the controller 240 may receive instructions for
sounding the security alarm associated with the control area 120
and then control operation of the security alarm according to the
received instructions.
[0040] In an optional step 340, operations of the control area 120
may be monitored. Various information, including current, voltage,
power, energy consumption, information from the timekeeper 250,
information from the sensors 260, etc., may be stored in the
operations database 270. Such information may be processed and
reported to various parties, including occupants, building
managers, other devices, and so forth.
[0041] In an optional step 350, a fault state in the control area
120 may be detected. Variations in power usage, energy usage,
electrical load, etc., may indicate a fault state in one or more
devices of the control area 120. Such determinations may be based
on the information stored in the operations database 270. In some
embodiments, the fault state may be reported to occupants, building
managers, etc. through the network 110.
[0042] In an optional step 360, a prediction is made concerning a
possible future fault state. Information from the operations
database 270 may be used to estimate or predict a lifespan for the
one or more devices of the control area 120. Such information may
also be reported to occupants, building managers, etc. through the
network 110.
[0043] Some of the above-described functions can be composed of
instructions that are stored on storage media (e.g.,
computer-readable medium). The instructions may be retrieved and
executed by the processor 230. Some examples of storage media are
memory devices, tapes, disks, integrated circuits, and servers. The
instructions are operational when executed by the processor 230 to
direct the processor 230 to operate in accord with the invention.
Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions,
processor(s), and storage media.
[0044] It is noteworthy that any hardware platform suitable for
performing the processing described herein is suitable for use with
the invention. The terms "computer-readable medium" and
"computer-readable media" as used herein refer to any medium or
media that participate in providing instructions to a CPU for
execution. Such media can take many forms, including, but not
limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media and transmission
media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic
disks, such as a fixed disk. Volatile media include dynamic memory,
such as system RAM. Transmission media include coaxial cables,
copper wire and fiber optics, among others, including the wires
that comprise one embodiment of a bus. Transmission media can also
take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated
during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications.
Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a
floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, any other
magnetic medium, a CD-ROM disk, digital video disk (DVD), any other
optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium
with patterns of marks or holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a
FLASHEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or
any other medium from which a computer can read.
[0045] Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a CPU
for execution. A bus carries the data to system RAM, from which a
CPU retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions
received by system RAM can optionally be stored on a fixed disk
either before or after execution by a CPU.
[0046] The above description is illustrative and not restrictive.
Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those of
skill in the art upon review of this disclosure. The scope of the
invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to
the above description, but instead should be determined with
reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of
equivalents.
[0047] While the present invention has been described in connection
with a series of preferred embodiment, these descriptions are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular
forms set forth herein. It will be further understood that the
methods of the invention are not necessarily limited to the
discrete steps or the order of the steps described. To the
contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such
alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill
in the art.
* * * * *